RICE LAB
In this lab, we collaborate on projects as a team. We value the contributions of all team members equally. The unique insights, perspectives, and ideas each team member brings make our science better and our team stronger. Our team is a safe space where all identities are welcomed, valued, and celebrated.
Meet the Team
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Mallory Rice, PhD (she/her)
Dr. Rice is a biology education researcher with a background in marine ecology research. Broadly, the RICE Lab projects investigate students' experiences and perspectives in college science classrooms with the goal to make science more inclusive for all students. While the projects in the lab span a variety of research interests, all projects are student-driven. When she's not on campus, she enjoys CrossFit, running, and spending them with her family and dogs.
Current Lab Members
Master's Student
Poorvi Datta, B.S.
Poorvi is a Master’s student who joined the Rice Lab in Fall 2022. Their project examines how the inclusion of computer-generated versus human-edited captioning impacts the academic outcomes of students with disabilities. As a queer, disabled student, they are passionate about educational equity, i.e. making classrooms more accessible for students like (and unlike) themselves. In their free time, they sing, watch movies, and learn ASL.
Undergraduate Researcher
Anastasia Navarro
Anastasia is a URISE Scholar who transferred to CSUSM in the Fall of 2022. She is a Psychological Sciences major and joined Dr. Rice’s lab in Spring 2022 as a Bridges to the Baccalaureate Scholar from Palomar College. She is currently working with Dr. Rice to investigate the experiences of undergraduate STEM majors and their mental health and wellness. Outside of the lab, Anastasia enjoys running, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
Undergraduate Researcher
Sarah Shakir
Sarah is a Hologic Scholar studying biology at California State University San Marcos. Her passion for teaching and understanding students’ perspectives in STEM has given rise to her research project evaluating how various exam types and proctoring practices influence students’ perceived learning and their anxiety levels. Outside of her studies, Sarah enjoys drawing, swimming, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Undergraduate Researcher
Ashley Virabouth
Ashley is a third-year biology student who joined the Rice Lab in Spring 2022. Her project focuses on examining biology students’ anxiety levels during different exam types and exam proctoring practices. Her research aims to encourage a more inclusive scientific community by understanding how students are personally affected by exam types in undergraduate biology courses. Outside of her studies, Ashley enjoys baking, photography, and hanging out with friends and family.
Lab Alumni
Noyce Teacher Scholar, CSUSM
Trixy Nguyen, B.S.
Trixy is a recent graduate that joined the RICE Lab in Spring 2022. Her project focused on examining STEM students’ perspectives and experiences about paraphrasing and plagiarism to provide a more inclusive and support system for students to learn scientific writing. Currently, she is a Noyce Teacher Scholar in the Credential program at CSUSM with the intent to teach high school biology. Outside of her studies, Trixy enjoys hiking, baking, and reading thrillers.